Light and Shadow of the Forbidden City

The entire shoot at the Forbidden City in Beijing relied solely on natural light to shape every frame, with a focused pursuit of the scattered light and shadow hidden throughout the palace grounds. Slanted rays pierced through latticed window grilles, casting neat geometric patterns across the stone floors; side backlighting traced the silhouettes of guardian beasts along the ridges; the golden glow of the setting sun swept diagonally across the long palace avenues, creating broad swaths of dramatic chiaroscuro. No supplementary lighting was used—every image was crafted entirely with natural light from varying angles to accentuate the textures and lines of the ancient architecture. Through stark contrasts of light and shadow, the vivid red walls and golden tiles were rendered even more striking. Women dressed in Qing-dynasty attire, posing for souvenir photos, added an extra layer of charm to the Forbidden City, evoking a sense of timeless nostalgia. Through light and shadow, every corner of the palace was captured—its texture, its patina, the quiet traces of age etched into each surface. The photographs were taken in January 2025.